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Hey guys thanks for all the input. That why i like this site,others helping others.I am still on the search for a good twin .The lake i am on is pretty open, so docking is where twins would be a great help.My travels would be leaving the dock and looking for a quiet cove to hang out in for the weekend.

You only need a single engine. Sure, twins are super nice to have (you can turn in your own length--big deal) but the fuel and maintenance is a lot higher. This will be your first houseboat. That means if you really enjoy this hobby you will want something bigger, further down the road. If you don't want to continue, then it hasn't cost you as much and you have learned a lot.
I travelled over 3000 miles on my single engine houseboat, under all kinds of conditions. Having twin engines would have made life easier some times.. But, there are a lot of things that would have made life easier!

Well i bit the bullet and bought my first houseboat. A 1982 Gibson Lazycruz 50' with a single volvo 145a and 280 outdrive. I know it will be a pig to drive,but hey its big. So the fun begins on the remod. It is dry and really solid has spent the last several years under cover and got a great slip with the boat. So the questions will begin shortly!

Good work. If I were choosing an outdrive for that vintage boat, a Volvo 280 would top my list. They shift smoothly and are pretty much bulletproof. Volvo used them behind 350 chevys that they rated around 240hp and they performed admirably. It should serve very nicely behind a 145hp motor.